Group controlled electric timer



J ly 7, 1953 J. HERTRICH 2,644,518

GROUP CONTROLLED ELECTRIC TIMER Filed April 1, 19,52 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Josgyfi lierlrzzh BYW- M ATIURIVEYS July 7, 1953 J. HERTRICH GROUP CONTROLLED ELECTRIC TIMER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 1, 1952 INVENTOR. c 012 llerlnch Patented July 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,644,518 GROUP CONTROLLED ELECTRIC TIMER Joseph Hertrich, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to The Western States MachineOompany, Hamilton, Ohio, a corporation of Utah Application April 1, 1952; Serial No.27 9,729 14 Claims. (Cl. 161- 1) his invention relates to mechanical groupcontrol apparatus for two or more electric timer units. More particularly, it relates to timer units vhlch can be controlled individually or, alternatively, as a group.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide simple dual controls for adjusting the period of operation of an electric timer, one of said. dual controls being part ofa group control for unitary adjustment of a plurality of timers while the other of said controls is an individual adjuster. The present invention provides a mechanical system much more simple in design than known device, for common adjustment of a group of timers. In the present invention, the individual adjuster common to known electric timers is unaffected, since this adjuster is operable independently of the group adjuster.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means of common adjustment of a group of timers, which can be used with standard electric timers inexpensively and with little alteration of the adjusting unit present in such timers.

A further object of this invention is to provide simple control apparatus for group adjustment of plurality of timers which can be cheaply manured, has a minimum number of parts and is easily assembled.

it frequently desirable-for example, in commercial refining processes, to have a number of electric timers group controlled. Each timer of a group may be used to control one funo tion the operation of one of a group of machines performing similar functions in similar operating cycles; The uniform performance of each function by all machines of the group can he assured in such processes, and much time can he saved, if the group of timers controlling each function can be moved to identical settings by a single act of adjustment.

According to the present invention, each of a plurality of timer units is provided with dual controls for an adjusting arm of the timer which limits the period during which the timer operates. One of said controls, the individual adjuster, is fix d on shaft carrying the adjusting arm and serv by rotating the shaft to position this arm at desired setting in relation to a rotary timing arm and a dial over which that arm moves in the course of a timing operation. The second control is frictionally engaged with said shaft and rotatably mounted'so as to be able to rotate the shaft and hence said adjusting arm; and group adjustment is obtained by grouping a plurality of the timer units side by side and placing a common driving member in driving relation to the second control elements of all of the grouped timers. More particularly, the second control is most advantageously a transparent worm wheel which overlies the dial and the timing and adjusting, arms of each timer unit, thus serving as a window forobservation of the timer setting and timer operations, and the common driving member is a worm shaft having fixed thereon a numoer of worm gears, each in mesh with the frictionally mounted transparent worm wheel of each timer unit, whereby rotation of said worm shaft simultaneously effects the setting of the adjusting arms of all the grouped timer units.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, which makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numbers, and in which:

Figure 1 is an assembly View, partly in section and partly in side elevation, of one illustrative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly broken away, of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view, taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1, of electrical contact elements of the timer;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing exposed parts of a timer assembled according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of Figure 4..

Referring to Figures 1-3 of the drawing, a timer housing generally indicated at i is shown supporting a timer motor 2 which rotates a shaft 3 in the direction of arrow (shown in Figure l). A clutch member ii is slidably mounted on shaft 3 for rotation therewith and is also adapted to engage a second clutch member 6 fixedly mounted on one end of a timer shaft l which is supported in a bearing 8. A graduated face plate or dial is fixed in the housing adjacent the other end of the timer shaft i. The latter end of the timer shaft l extends through an aperture id in the dial Q and has a timing arm i I fixed thereto for rotation over the dial. Timer shaft '6 is continuously biased in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed facing the dial in Fig. 2, by a clock spring it one end of which is fixed to the housing as at E3 while the other'end is secured to shaft 1'? in any convenient manner, as at 5311. Also fixed on the timer shaft for rotation therewith is a trip arm M which is adapted to actuate a switch l5 having contacts |3 and H for controlling the flow of current to the elements to be controlled. A solenoid |8 actuates a shifter fork I9 which moves clutch member 5 into and out of engagement with clutch member 6.

For controlling the period of the timing opera tion an adjusting arm 2|! is arranged adjacent the timing arm H and is secured to a shaft 2| for rotation over the dial 9. Shaft 2| is supported in a central opening 22 in a transparent disc 23, the shaft frictionally engaging the disc by means of a flange 24 on one end of the shaft, a collar 25 fitted over the other end of the shaft and an adjusting nut 26 clamping the disc between the flange 24 and the collar 25 with a friction sufficient to cause shaft 2| to move with disc 23 but allowing the shaft to be turned relative to the disc. The transparent disc overlies the dial 9, the timer arm II and the adjusting arm so that these three elements can be observed through the disc. The disc 23 is also rotatably mounted in the housing by means of an axially extending portion 21 which is supported in a ring member 28 of the housing. Three circumferentially-spaced brackets 29 prevent axial movement of the disc along shaft 2|. The shaft 2| can also be rotated by a manual adjusting knob 30 secured to the shaft by set screw 3|.

The adjusting arm 20 which is spaced from the timing arm along the axis of the housing, has a stop 32 axially extending a distance slightly exceeding the length of the spacing between the two arms whereby the stop lies in the path of rotation of the timer arm I I.

In operation, the timer is set or reset for a predetermined period of operation by turning the adjusting arm 20 to a desired setting on the dial. Under the biasing action of the spring [2 the timing arm II is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction with timer shaft 1 until it comes to rest against the stop 32. In this position, the switch I5 is in its normal position in which contacts iii are closed and contacts H are open. When the solenoid l8 and the motor 2 are energized, the solenoid actuates the shifter I 9 to force the clutch 5 into engagement with clutch member 6, and the timer shaft and timing arm are rotated in a clockwise direction. When the arm I reaches the zero position of the dial 9, the timer is timed out, and at that moment the trip arm l4 urges the switch member I5 from its normal position to its tripped position whereby the normally closed contacts it are opened and the normally open contacts l1 are closed. The timer is reset by deenergizing the solenoid which actuates the shifter l9 and disengages clutch members 5 and 6. When this happens, the timing arm I is again urged counter-clockwise by spring l2 into its starting position (rest position against stop 32) While it is known to adjust timers individually by a central adjusting knob as at 3|, applicant has provided a simple and convenient means for group adjustment of a plurality of such timers. By using a frictional connection between transparent disc 23 and adjustment shaft 2|, the position of the adjusting arm 20 can be adjusted by rotation of the disc 23 as Well as by knob 3|). Rotation of the disc is controlled by a worm 33 which meshes with teeth 34 cut in the periphery of the disc 23. Worm 33 is fixed to a worm shaft 35 which is turned by a knob 36. By placing side by side all the timers controlling the same function on a number of machines and by having each timer equipped with a transparent disc in the form of a toothed wheel in mesh with a Worm fixed on a worm-shaft common to all the machines, the entire group can be adjusted simultaneously by the knob 36. The disc acts as a driving member for shaft 2| and as a window member for observing the dial, timing arm and adjusting arm. Thus, it is apparent that the timers can be adjusted as a group by knob 33 or individually by their respective knobs 30.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, use may be made of a standard timer, such as a Cycle-Flex timer manufactured by the Eagle Signal Corporation. Dual adjustment elements may be combined with such a timer, according to the invention, as shown in Figures 4 and 5; while the motivating and actuated elements of the timer may corrsepond to those shown to the left of timing arm I in Fig. l.

A transparent disc 31 is rotatably mounted in the housing in any convenient manner so as to form a closure plate for the housing and a window for observing the dial 9, the timing arm II and the adjusting arm 20. An adjusting shaft 38 on which the adjusting arm 23 is secured, is frictionally mounted in the disc 31 in a manner similar to the mounting of shaft 2| in disc 23 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 whereby the friction between the disc 31 and the shaft 38 is sufficient to cause the shaft to move with the disc but allowing the shaft to be turned relative to the disc. A second transparent disc 39 overlies the first disc and is secured thereto for rotation therewith by pins 40, which are fixed in metal Washers 4|. The second disc is driven by a worm 42 which meshes with teeth 43 cut in the periphery of the disc. The worm 42 is fixed on a worm shaft 44 which is turned by a knob 45. Thus the adjusting arms 20 of a plurality of timers can be simultaneously rotated to a desired setting on the dial 9 by turning the knob 45. For individual adjustment of each timer independently of the position of the disc 33, a knob 46 is secured to shaft 38 whereby the adjusting arm 23 can be turned to a, desired setting by turning the knob 46.

While preferred examples have been described in detail, it Will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, andit is intended therefore that the following claims covers all such changes and modifications.

I claim:

i. In an electric timer adapted for common ad ustment with a plurality of similar timers and having timer means, a timing arm forming part of the timer means, and a dial over which said timing arm is rotated during a timing operation and over which an adjusting arm is turned to a desired setting thereon to limit the period of rotation of the timing arm; a control for the adjusting arm comprising a shaft on which the adjusting arm is secured, a transparent disc overlying the dial, the timing arm and the adjusting arm so that the latter three elements can be observed through said disc, said disc being drivingly connected to said shaft whereby the adjusting arm can be turned to a desired setting by rotation of said disc, and means for rotating said disc, said latter means being adapted to ro tate a plurality of like discs, one in each of the similar timers for simultaneous adjustment of all the timers.

2. In an electric timer adapted for common adjustment with a plurality of similar timers and having a housing, timer means in the housing for actuating a switch member. a timing arm forming part of theti'mer 'means'a'nd a dial over which said timing arm is rotated duringa timing operation and over which an adjusting arm isturned to adesired setting-thereon to limit the period of rotation of the timing arm; a control for the adjusting arm comprising'a shaft on which means to manually turnsaid shaft, meansto drivingly connect saidshaft to' said' dise whereby the adjusting arm'canbe turned toa desired setting by rotation of said diese and means for rotating said disc, said' latter means being adapt edto rotatea plurality oflike-discs} one in each of 'thesimilar timers for simultaneous" adjustni'ent of all the timers 3. In an electric-timer adapted for com'rnon am justment with a pluralityofsimilar timers "and having a housingtimermeans-in thehousinga timing arm forming part of the timer means, and

a dial over which the timing armis rotated during atiming operation and OVBlFWhlCh an "adjusting arm is turned to adesired setting thereon to limit the period of rotation of-the timing armj a con trol for the adjusting *arni' comprising a trans parent disc rotatably mounted in said-housing and overlying the dial, the timing arm andthe adjusting arm so that the latter three elements can be observed throughsaid discfa shaft frictionally engaging- I said disc and having the adlar timers for simultaneous adjustment of all the timers. I 1

4. In an electric timer adapted'ior common adjustment with oneormore similartimers and having a housing,timer means the housing, a

timing arm forming part of thetimer means, and a dial over which the timing arm is' rotated dur-- ing a timing operation'and over which an ad justing arm is turned to a'desired setting thereonto limit the periodof rotation of thetiming arm; a controlfor-theadjusting armcomprising a transparent gear 'wheel'rotatably mounted in said housing and overlying the dial, the timing. arm' andthe adjustingarm sothat the latter three elements can be observed through said gear wheel,'a shaft supported in and frictionally engaged with said gear wheel; said-shaft having",

the adjusting arm secured thereon whereby the frictionally engaged with said first disc, asecorid transparent disc drivingly connected to and over-' lying the first disc so that the dial, the timing arm and the adjusting arm can be observed through said discs, said shaft having the adjusting arm secured thereon whereby the adjust ing arm can be turned to a desired setting by rotation of said second disc orby manual rota tion of said shaft, and a driving member for turning said second disc, said driving member being adapted to drive a-plurality of like discs,

adjusting arm can beturnedfto a-desiredsetting by rotation of said gearwheel, and" a'driving gear for turning saidgear wheel said driving gear being secured on'a gear shaft which is adapted to drive a plurality of like driving gears, one in each of the similar timers for simultaneous adjusting of all the timers.

5. In an-electric timer'adapted forcommon adjustment with one or more similar timers and having a housing, timer means in the housingIa one in each of the similar timers forsi multaneous adjustment of all the timers. v V 7 6.'In an electric timeradapted for" common adjusting with one or: more similar timers and having a housing, timer means inthe housing, a timing arm forming part of said timer means, and a dial over which thetiming arm is rotated dur-- ing'a timing operation andover" which an ad justing arm is turnedtoa desired setting thereon to limit the period of rotation of thetiming'arm'; a control for the adjusting arm'co'mpri'sin'g a" transparent cover plate rotatably mounted in said housing and overlying the dial, the timing arm and'the adjusting arm, a shaft supported in and frictionally engaged with said cover plate, a transparent gear wheel drivingly connected to and overlying said coverplate so that the dial, the timing'arm and the adjusting arm can be observed through said plate-andgear'wheel, said:

is adapted to drive a plurality of like driving. gears, one in" each' of thesimilar timers for si-'-' multaneous adjusting of all the timers.

'7. In an electrictimer adapted for common adjusting with a plurality of similar timers and having a' housing, timer means in the housing i to actuate a switch member, a timingarm forming" part of said timer means, and a dial over which the timing arm is rotated during a timing opera tion and over which an adjusting arm is'turned toa desired setting thereon to limit the period of rotation of the timing arm; a control for the adjusting arm comprising a transparent worm wheel rotatably secured to the housing and over lying the dial, the timing arm and the adjusting arm so that the latter three elements can be observed through said worm wheel, a shaft mounted in said worm wheel, means for'urging said worm wheel into frictional engagement with the shaft, a knob also fixed to said shaft, said shaft having the adjusting arm secured thereon whereby the adjusting arm can be turned to a desired setting by rotation of said worm wheel or by manual rotation of said knob, and a worm for turning said worm' wheel, said worm being secured to a worm shaft which is adapted to drivea plu rality of like worms, one each of the similar timers for a simultaneous adjustment for all the timers.

8. In an electric timer adapted for eommbnad justment with a plurality of similar timers and lying the dial, the timing arm and the adjusting arm, a shaft mounted in said cover plate, means for urging said cover plate into frictional engagement with the shaft, a knob also fixed to said shaft, a transparent worm wheel overlying and fixed to the cover plate for rotation therewith so that the dial and timing and adjusting arms can be observed through the worm wheel and cover plate, said shaft having the adjusting arm secured thereon whereby the adjusting arm can be turned to a desired setting by rotation of said worm wheel or by manual rotation of said knob, and a worm for turning said worm wheel, said worm being secured to a worm shaft which is adapted to drive a plurality of like Worms, one in each of the similar timers for a simultaneous adjusting for all the timers.

9. In an electric timer unit adapted for common adjustment with a plurality of similar units and having a dial over which a timing arm is rotated from an adjustable limiting position during a timing operation, and a stop member settable relative to the dial for engaging the timing arm to fix the limiting position; a rotary disc covering the timing arm, the stop member and the dial, and through which the latter three elements may be observed from in front of the unit, cooperating means for engaging the disc and the stop member to move the latter upon rotation of the disc, and means for rotating said disc, said latter means being adapted to rotate a plurality of like discs, one in each of the similar units for simultaneous adjustment of all the units.

10. In an electric timer unit adapted for common adjustment with a plurality of similar units and having a dial over which a timing arm is rotated from an adjustable limiting position during a timing operation, and a stop member settable relative to the dial for engaging the timing arm to fix the limiting position; a rotary disc covering the timing arm, the stop member and the dial, and through which the latter three ele ments may be observed from in front of the unit, a manual setting means connected with the stop member and including an element at the front of the disc movable manually to adjust the position of the stop member, the disc being connected with the manual setting means so that rotation of the disc rotates the manual setting means to position the stop member, said manual setting being movable relative to the disc to set the stop element independently of the disc, and means for rotating said disc, said latter means adapted to rotate a plurality of like discs, one in each of the similar units for simultaneous adjustment of all the units.

11. In an electric timer unit adapted for common adjustment with a plurality of similar units and having a dial over which a timing arm is rotated from an adjustable limiting position during a timing operation, and a stop member settable relative to the dial for engaging the timing arm to fix the limiting position; a rotary worm wheel covering the timing arm, the stop member and the dial, and through which the latter three elements may be observed from in front of the unit, a manual setting means connected with the stop member and including an element at the front of the disc movable manual- 1y to adjust the position of the stop member, the disc being frictionally connected with the manual setting means so that rotation of the disc rotates the manual setting means to position the stop member, and a worm for rotating said wheel, said worm being secured on a worm shaft which is adapted to rotate a plurality of like worms, one in each of the units for simultaneous ad- J'ustment of all the units.

12. In an electric timer having a dial over which a timing arm is rotated from an adjustable limiting position during a timing operation, and an adjusting arm settable relative to the dial for engagin the timing arm to fix the limiting position; a shaft on which the adjusting arm is secured, manual means for turning the shaft to position the adjusting arm, a disc which overlies the dial, the timing arm and the adjusting arm, and through which the latter three elements can be observed, said disc being connected to said shaft so that rotation of the disc rotates the shaft, said shaft being movable relative to the disc by said manual means to position the adjusting arm independently of the disc, and driving means engaging a peripheral part of the disc for rotating said disc to set said adjusting arm.

13. In an electric timer having a dial relative to which a timing element is rotated from an adjustable limiting position during a timing operation and an indexing element over the dial which is settable relative thereto to fix the limit ing position; a shaft rotatable to change the relative position of the indexing element and the dial, a disc overlying the dial and the indexing element, said disc being transparent so that the dial and said indexing element can be observed through the disc, said disc being connected to said shaft so that rotation of the disc rotates the shaft, and driving means for engaging a peripheral part of the disc for rotating said disc to adjust said relative position.

14. In an electric timer having a dial relative to which a timing element is rotated from an adjustable limitin position during a timing operation and an indexing element over the dial which is settable relative thereto to fix the limiting position; a shaft rotatable to change the relative position of the indexing element and the dial, a disc overlying the dial and the indexing element, said disc being transparent so that the dial and said indexing element can be 0bserved through the disc, said disc being connected to said shaft so that rotation of the disc rotates the shaft, said disc having peripheral teeth forming a worm wheel, and a worm gear engaging said teeth for rotating said disc to adjust said relative position.

JOSEPH HERTRICH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,367,148 Kennedy Feb. 1, 1921 2,113,274 Lux Apr. 5. 1938 

